Nothing about my life has ever been "ship-shape and Bristol fashion" but I can "C-clamp" with the best of them. So there, I used them!

Not entirely true - my life is ship-shape and Bristol fashion because I am able to prioritize - living well is more important than living "neatly" - to me.

For all my clutter, I know that my DH comes first, nourishment second, the last room in the house to ever get straightened out is my own personal bathroom. Why? Not because I am not worth it - I am worth it.

But I married a man 30 years my senior and while my bathroom will always be there and always be messy, my loving DH will not.

Uh-oh! I see a blog here - thanks C.J.!

P.S. Yes, I do envy those people with spotless homes, but I am just not one of them and accept the fact that I most likely never will be. I thank God every day for my DH, my loving family and my own good health.
Think I should pray for cleanliness? Nah - I'd really rather just be healthy and happy.

**edit:
Before she died, Erma Bombeck said if she had it all to do again, she would clean less and play more. I'm with Erma!

5CUTIES
I'm with you....better happy and healthy children and husband, then a clean house. We were always on the go and now I see my own daughters with happy, healthy children. Yeah to dust bunnies! Also....Mcd's ice cream cone is a good alternative to any other ice cream. Thanks for the blog post. 1983 days ago

GRALLEN
My house isn't as clean as I think it should be but I'm sure having fun camping, relaxing in the pool, enjoying my shelties and have a good time with my DH. Of course when we are expecting company, we turn on the stereo and kick it into high gear to get the house in a presentable state. 1984 days ago

WATERMELLEN
What a relief to read a blog like this!! I'm domestically challenged (that's a kind evaluation, actually) and given how hard I work, if I spent more time cleaning I'd have no time for exercise, healthy eating, or friends and family.

So: my priorities are clear enough . . . not likely to change . . . and I have a little help once a week from a very very kind and competent lady to handle the pressing household tasks. Worth it to me. 1985 days ago

SLENDERELLA61
Oh, Linda, I blogged about housework today, too. Oh, yeah. You know that because you commented. I think here you have pointed out 2 things to me: I need to prioritize a little more and I need to value that prioritization so that I can overlook a few things, knowing that the more important things are getting accomplished. Thanks, Linda.1985 days ago

SUSIEPH1
I too married a man 14 years my senior and we each brought our children to this union we loved and cared for them all .. We had 7 children between us of varied ages .. our life had been mixed, some up and downs but mostly ups .... I wouldn't swap my life for any other ... Enjoy the time you have together.... houswork will wait... Quality time with your love is fleeting .. Enjoy!! Hugs Susie 1986 days ago

DIANESMILES
My place used to be so clean we joked "even her dust falles in aphebetical order", but not any longer ! Now its a little dirty (not much), though still organized, and I've relaxed so much more. I laugh a lot more, and love A LOT more. Welcome over to my side Linda, welcome over ! My family didn't matter than, only my "things" did, now it's opposite,,,my family does and things are things, though I still enjoy the nice ones.1986 days ago

OLDERDANDRT
I relate to that! I, too am one of those folks who will never have a spotless house, but it's "lived in"!!!!! And it looks it! hehe Our family is so much more important. We just gotta keep it healthy. Neat is a perk!!!1986 days ago

LORIDREX
What a great blog! I didn't realize CaptainJerry had written a blog yet! I'll have to go read it! So glad that you read it, Raylin! I loved your blog, by the way, and especially BELIEVE-IT's comment, about "clean clutter"! My grandkids are here right now, and I am certainly ignoring a lot of "clean clutter" at the moment!1986 days ago

SUNFLOWERGAL40
Amen to the healthy and happy! Sounds like you've got your priorities right! I am trying to do the same as I enjoy the summer at home with my 3 children. I would rather have fun filled memories with them than worrying about the house being spotless!1986 days ago

GRANDMACOO
My DH lived away for 2 years before he retired; I spent my mornings before work cleaning house. Now that he is home, I spend more time with him. Plus, I can't run the vacuum early because he is still in bed. So, he does most of the vacuuming. Having a clean house is something I always strive for, but the clutter often gets ahead of me. WHERE does all that junk mail come from???1986 days ago

PATTI_SP
Great blog! I think we need to be balanced. A senior friend of mine put it well when my kids were little... she called it "clean clutter" ~ sometimes it can't be avoided. But the clean part is really important to me, mainly because I have learned that, it stays cleaner a lot longer than I realized with little effort, but when it is actually "dirty", I spend way more time at it, strange enough -- it's hard to get to that point, but like looking after our bodies, worth the effort!

MARTY19
At work, I am very organized because I have to be in order to be a good teacher. At home, I am a bet less organized because this is my safe place, It doesn't have to be perfect. I know where everything is.